How a Federal Minister’s Remarks Raised Jurisdiction Infringement Fears in the Prairies

Prairie premiers condemn Lametti's promise to look into a request to rescind natural resource agreement

Then-Justice Minister David Lametti speaks during a federal, provincial, and territorial ministers press conference on bail reform in Ottawa on March 10, 2023. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

In controversial remarks at an event on April 5, Justice Minister David Lametti said he would look into a request to revoke the resource rights of the Prairie provinces, a move that brought swift condemnation from the provinces’ premiers concerned about infringements in their jurisdiction.

In their latest salvo on April 11, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “immediately retract those dangerous and divisive comments by his justice minister.”